Wondering what is the difference between a medical spa and a regular spa? Life happens. And sometimes, we are left looking and feeling worse for wear.
When this happens, the best thing to do is to prioritize yourself and your self-care. One way to do this is to book an appointment at your local spa. This can be a regular spa or a medical spa.
What is a Medical Spa?
A medical spa is much like your regular day spa. However, it offers day spa services alongside other, slightly more complex treatments.
A regular spa, however, keeps things much simpler and more relaxed. Check out our article that talks about what a med spa is.
While the two spas offer different treatments, spa treatments, whether regular or med spas, are aimed at making you feel and look your best.
NUVO Cosmedispa is one of the best med spas in Houston “where we make you feel new again”.
Med spa services versus day spa services
So, what is the difference between a medical spa and a regular spa? There are a couple of differences.
One is the type of services offered. Day spas offer treatments like:
- Facials
- Massages
- Waxing
- Manicures and pedicures
- Eyelash extensions
- Body wraps and scrubs
Medical spas offer the above services. They also offer other more complex treatments.
Some of the most popular medical spa treatments include:
- Injectables
- Laser and light treatments
- Deep chemical peels
- Microdermabrasion
- Micro-needling
- Non-surgical breast lifts
- Fat and cellulite reduction
- Laser hair removal
- Vaginal rejuvenation shots
Another difference is in ownership and staffing. Regular spas offer simple relaxation treatments, and estheticians (trained beauty technicians) are responsible for most or all treatments.
Medical spas carry out some procedures that lean towards medical procedures. Because of these, most states require a med spa to be owned, supervised, or affiliated with a physician or a registered nurse. However, med spas are not allowed to conduct any surgical procedures.
Something else that spells out a clear difference between the two is the goal of treatment. Day spas focus on making their clients feel and look great for a couple of hours or days. Think about massages and facials. They get the job done for the short term.
Medical spa treatments go for more long-term results. Think of non-surgical breast lifts, laser hair removal, injectables, and more.
Here are 4 Types Of Spas?
Let’s start with a brief history lesson.
The basic principle of a spa is not as novel as you might think.
The idea of hydrotherapy, spas, and healing waters dates back thousands of years-long before the Romans and the Greeks. Back then, the focus was on healing ailments, the skin, and wounds.
Fast forward to today, and the concept of spas remains much the same, though more specialized and more relaxing. The spas we have today can also be easily differentiated and classified according to the services offered.
Let’s look at the four main types of spas.
1. Day Spas
Day Spas are spas that offer services to clients during the day without providing accommodation. These services include massages, nail care, waxing, facials, and so on.
Many spas fall under this category, but the experiences offered in different spas can be night and day.
Some spas are relatively basic, where you walk in, get your treatment, and walk out. Others are more luxurious, with coffee, wine, and decadent desserts being part of the package.
Some day spas have minimal space that barely covers the lounge and treatment areas, while some are expansive with saunas, steam rooms, and swimming rooms housed within the spa.
Medical spas fall under the day spa category, only they have a medical doctor overseeing all procedures that fall under the medical realm. Think injectables, deep chemical peels, light and laser treatments, and so on.
Spas can also book you for half or full-day packages if you need to maximize your spa experience.
2. Destination Spas
A destination spa is a place where the spa is the destination. This can be close to home, another state, or an exotic destination. Whichever the case, once you get to the spa, your sole business is enjoying the available services.
As a client, you can take as many treatments and stay for as long as your budget allows.
You will be properly accommodated and waited on as you take up whichever treatments you came for. In addition, top-quality spas offer nutrition classes, fitness activities, wellness lectures, cooking classes, and various other enriching activities and experiences.
3. Resort and Hotel Spas
Hotels and resorts have not been left behind in the spa business. With more and more people looking for more than just accommodation, hotels have swiftly added spa services to their packages.
For business travelers and family vacations, resorts and hotels with spas allow customers to kill two birds with one stone.
4. Mineral and Thermal Spring Spas
Mineral spring spas are a source of thermal or seawater with naturally occurring elements from surrounding rocks, soil, and sand used in spa treatments or hydrotherapy.
These minerals give these springs therapeutic properties you can benefit from.
Mineral and thermal spring spas are naturally located in areas embellished with naturally occurring mineral deposits. When we talked about spas from 2000 years ago, these were more mineral and thermal spring spas than the man-built establishments we have today.
While climate change and globalization have significantly altered the environment and natural resources, there are still a few mineral and thermal spring spas open to the public today.
Examples include:
- Pamukkale springs in Turkey
- Kerosene creek in New Zealand
- Ojo Caliente mineral springs in New Mexico
- Springs resort and spa in Colorado
Step Into The New You
A med spa is the way to go if you’re looking for treatments whose results you can enjoy for longer. However, all spas are not equal.
You need a spa with a highly qualified team, cutting-edge technology, and a relaxing, peaceful environment. This is what you get at NUVO Cosmedispa. So, don’t settle for less than perfect: Book an appointment with us for some NUVO magic.
